McDonald’s ‘not wanted’ Sue is college’s


FAST food giant McDonald’s has been rebuffed in its aspira- tion for a drive-through restau- rant in central Maidstone. The burger chain had applied


to set up a 130-seater restaurant on the corner of The Broadway and Barker Road, on the site of a former Renault dealership that has been empty for more than a year. But Maidstone Council re-


fused the planning application on a number of grounds, in- cluding concerns about the im- pact of unrestricted vehicle movements between 6am and midnight


Fatal crash dad


over drink limit A FATHER-of-three was more than twice over the legal alco- hol limit for driving when he died after a motorcycle crash in the centre of Snodland. Jason Randall (39), of Mary


Last Court, Snodland, had started to drink heavily after the death of his father, his wife Nicola told an inquest at Maid- stone. The bereavement was fol-


lowed by the suicide of his em- ployer, Michael Foster (73), of Lambert and Foster auctioneers in Paddock Wood. It was Mr Randall who found his boss dead from a shotgun wound to the head at his Boxley home. Mr Randall died from multi-


ple injuries on Saturday, July 14, last year after his bike hit a stationary Vauxhall Corsa in Malling Road. Coroner Patricia Harding


heard the motorcycle had no defects which could have con- tributed to the crash. However, the road was damp, which could have made the wheels lock up.


Recording a verdict of acci- dental death, Mrs Harding said that the stationary Corsa ahead was letting other cars across. As the bike braked, it appeared locked up and hit the rear of the Corsa with Mr Randall’s body impacting on the side. She said there was no evi-


dence he intended to take his own life.


A GROUND-level car park in King Street could be an added boon to disabled drivers in Maid- stone.


Following the granting of plan-


ning permission, the King Street multi-storey car park has now been permanently closed by the council, along with the superstore below it. Demolition is due to commence shortly, after which the site will be levelled and turned into a landscaped, surface level car park with spaces for bikes. However, as well as four


26 Malling “This is likely to cause gen-


eral noise and disturbance, in- cluding car lights shining into habitable rooms, having a sig- nificant adverse impact on the amenity of the occupants of the residential flats at 19 The Broadway and 25, 27 and 29 Hart Street,” said the decision notice. The council also said the drive-thru would have a “sig- nificant adverse effect” on local air quality, cause unacceptable noise, odours and fumes for nearby residents and would compromise highway safety. The proposal was further re-


fused for its poor design and layout, and harming the charac- ter, appearance and setting of grade II Listed buildings at 19- 21 The Broadway. The £4million restaurant would have created 75 jobs, ac- cording to the planning appli- cation.


Cabinetmember for planning, transport and development, Cllr Stephen Paine wrote on his website that the location was wrong for a McDonald’s restau- rant and felt a concert hall, other entertainment or leisure facilities or housing would be better suited to the site.


who joined the college as a travel


and


Rotarians mark birthday with MP MEMBERS of the Rotary Club of Maidstone took a tour around the Houses of Parliament, guided byMPHelen Grant. The MP for Maidstone and the Weald invited her visitors to take re- freshments inWestminsterHallaspartof celebrations tomark theclub’s 90th birthday. They are pictured above. MrsGrant said: “Itwas a real pleasure to have a coffee and a catch up


with the people who make such a difference to the local community.“ Brian Moss of the Rotary Club of Maidstone said: “Maidstone Rotary members thoroughlyenjoyed their interesting and informativevisit tothe Houses ofParliament andwere pleased to meet HelenGrant. Thiswas a super visitwith everyone very complimentary about the reception.” Rotariansbelong toaworldwide network of peoplewhouse their skills to benefit communities at home and abroad.


Almost 1 in 4 children ‘in poverty’ UP TO 24% of children in the Maidstone area are living in poverty – with a household income of less than £26,500 – ac- cording to the Campaign to End Child Poverty. While the area covered by Maidstone Council has a 17% child poverty rate, some of the constituencies whose boundaries fall within the Maidstone area are much higher. The Chatham and Aylesford constituency has a 24% child poverty rate while 23% of children in the Faversham and Mid Kent constituency are below the poverty line. Maidstone and the Weald has a 15% child poverty rate, while


14% of children in Tonbridge and Malling are in poverty. Nation- ally, the figure is just over 20%. Enver Solomon, chair of the campaign, said: “We’re calling on authorities to prioritise low income families in the decisions they make about local welfare spending. The Government must also closely examine its current strategy for reducing poverty and con- siderwhat more it could do to ensure millions of children’s lives are not blighted by poverty.”


Disabled to benefit from demolition


dedicated spaces for blue badge holders, the remaining 61 spaces will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, but with free parking for up to four hours for any other blue badge holders. A council spokesman said:


“The decision to permit the dem- olition of the car park followed careful consideration of the costs involved in necessary car park improvements, ongoing mainte- nance, overheads and customer usage levels. “The new car park facility


planned for this site will provide good level access to the town cen- tre for disabled users.” The council hopes the new car


park will be ready for use by the autumn. In the meantime, the nearest alternative long stay car parks are in Sittingbourne Road, Union Street and Lucerne Street. The nearest alternative short


stay car parks are in Wheeler Street, Brewer Street and Med- way Street. Season tickets are valid in any of the council’s long stay car parks.


Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk


tourism lecturer in 1993 before climbing the ranks to deputy principal, will start her new job on September 1. The Scottish-born Medway resident said she was proud to make history as the first woman to reach the top job. She said: “I hope it demon- strates to all our students that gender is no barrier to achieving their goals. I’m a great believer that further education drives so- cial mobility and that’s some- thing I’m keen to promote.” Before joining the college, Ms McLeod worked across the Caribbean, United States and Europe during her time in the travel industry, including a stint aboard cruise liners. Sheachievedadegreein business studies at the Dorset Institute of Higher Education – now Bournemouth University – where she returned to study travel and tourism before em- barking on her teaching career with MidKent College. The 51-year-old mother-of-


one says her priorities as prin- cipal will include improving the employment prospects of students. Ms McLeod takes over as principal from Stephen Grix, who will continue as chief ex- ecutive on a part-time basis until 2015.


Chance to run in city THE Heart of Kent Hospice, based in Aylesford, has some places available in the British 10k London run through the heart of the capital on July 14. Starting in Piccadilly outside


The Guards and Calvary Club, runners will pass the new WW2bomber command memo- rial which was unveiled by the Queen in June 2012, with Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner forming the backdrop to the start. Contact 01622 790195 or visit


www.hokh.org to register.Min- imum sponsorship £150.


Nightclub opens THE Gallery Nightclub has now opened in the former Loder & Payne building in Bank Street, Maidstone. The grade II-listed building


has three rooms over two levels and a huge chandelier hangs above the dance floor. Other features include a grand stair- case and carved stone pillars. An application for a sex en- tertainment licence at the venue was rejected last year.


first female head MIDKENT College has ap- pointed a female principal for the first time in its more than 100-year history. Sue McLeod,


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